CHAPTER ONE: SNOW/STEPHANIE
WRITERS POV
A woman stood amidst the ruins,blood, few corpses and beaten people her eyes blazed in two different colors she had a flame mark on head which glittered.
She fought effortlessly with her sword in its sheath, she used her bare hands powers emitting from it with a single movement of her hand large numbers of her enemies fell, more charged on including her own people and the other kinds. She didn't bear the intention to kill but to beat them to stupor but some died who couldn't bear the strength of her sacred powers, she wasn't tired at all fighting thousands, instead her breath remained steady,her blue robe which had red designs which were shimmering one could spot it's light afar danced as she attacked on all sides.
She had only one thing in mind, she would rather fight till they let her prove her innocence than to surrender to a false accusation.
Staring at the throngs of armies she could recognize two-thirds of her own kind, but then no one would believe her.
a red haired girl laughed slyly behind her "sister admit your wrongs and evil deeds, you killed those crestlanders including your own kind everyone saw it and yet you are still fighting" the red haired girl said her hands folded under her chest fluttering her fiery wings, she wasn't listening to the red haired girl her attention was on the armies she had drained two-thirds of her energy fighting for three days without rest, unless she unleashes the sacred forbbiden power and it will kill everyone present "sister are you tired already, you should surrender yet you choose to do this, you're getting weak and if you unleash the most sacred power he will hate you forever" the red haired girl taunted and the other girl frowned but then he would believe her and never betray her right, just then a young man appeared before her gracefully his eyes were icy blue just like his long hair he shook his head displeased "love stop please" he said his cold eyes fixed on her his words more like a warning, her eyes bored into his "Z do you think I did it as well" she asked her eyes searching for answers in his "it was seen by trustworthy lords and nobles, just stop fighting when you know they are saying the truth, why don't you surrender and face lighter punishments" he said firmly his words like blade stabbing her heart she opened her mouth but she couldn't form the right words her heart felt truly betrayed "i.i.i was framed Z why don't you believe me I thought you were wise, see through this facade" she said as tears dropped from her eyes the spots they fell froze and scarred as well her focus still on him, she didn't know when the red haired girl threw a fireball at her.
it was too late to deflect it nor dodge it when she saw it from the man's eyes, she spit a handful of blood and turned throwing an ice ball on the girl in a lightning speed, Z sped up to the red haired girl holding her up, "stop her before she goes berserk and use the forbidden powers" the red haired girl said weakly and in defence he growled "I warned you" he said his cold blue sword flew from its sheath on his hand and flew straight through the astonished girl's chest she clutched it whispering a 'why' "is this truly my fate" her heart was shattered both physically and emotionally her tears dropped freely till she disappeared and turned into two balls of flames flying away.
EASTERN DUKE MANSION BATHORE
Laying on the bed is a beauty with a hair as white as snow now scattered all over the pillow, her skin smooth and pale like a white jade, pouting her red heart shaped lips and fluttering her dark full lashes which weren't long looking breathtakingly beautiful as she slept peacefully, occasionally changing her position, flipping from one side to the other until the cockcrows.
Waking up due to the sound of the cockrow she couldn't help but rub her deep blue eyes which were round and cute as they tried to adjust to the bright light having its way into her room through the half closed curtain hanging over the glass window in her room, she wished she could have a nice day even though she knew it would be a stressful one, 'but it wouldn't hurt being positive' she thought with a smile on her face as she gazed at the sun feeling energetic.
Stephanie stood up and stretched her limbs. She started arranging her bed as she sang her favorite song with her melodious voice but she paused immediately when she heard an aggressive knock on the door, she knew who it would be.
"Good morning father" she greeted as she opened the door for a man who seemed to be in his early forties, he is handsome with his blonde hair neatly combed backwards. One would admire him if not for the scarry look on his face.
"Stephanie haven't I warned you not to call me father" he said with disgust just as she tried to apologize he said again "you cursed thing I have told you severally not to call me father with that cursed mouth of yours. I would never accept a thing like you as my child" he spat with so much hatred and snow could only look down and he continued " I want you to go to the market and buy some fruits for me and my wife, make sure they are fresh and she loves them else I would deal with you " he said and left.
Stephanie knew that her father hated she and her mother but she couldn't figure out why he did so, he only cared about his mistress and their son disregarding his legal wife and daughter he had never hide his disgust and undiluted hatred for them she decided to let it be.
But she couldn't help but wonder where the fruits she bought yesterday evening went to that made him ask for another one so she decided to head to the kitchen the maids began to gossip she was used to it no one truly loved or genuinely respected her as the daughter of a Duke including the maids except Lydia her mother's personal maid who chose to serve her faithfully she was like a second mother to her and her daughter Freya was a sister and a friend she never had they were the only ones who did not disrespect or hate her no matter what.
On seeing Lydia the lady greeted her and she asked " Lydia do you have any idea where the fruits I bought yesterday evening for lady Elizabeth is" the woman replied " young miss lady Elizabeth sent Lola to dispose them saying that she can't have them today even though they were still fresh and edible as well", she was stunned for a moment but she knew very well that her father's mistress would do anything within her power to frustrate her and her mother while keeping her facades before her father and to think that he could not see through it for nineteen years made her wonder if her father was too blind or if she was extremely cunning.
Stephanie left the kitchen and went to the butler to take the money needed for the fruits and on her way she met her step brother Ethan who scoffed and glared at her stopping on his tracks "white haired witch do you always have to walk around I thought you usually worked at Mrs Aria's shop so what are you still doing here flashing you old hair before me" he said with a crook smile, he would never miss a chance to look for her trouble whenever the opportunity presents itself, Stephanie ignored him just as she wanted to walk past him he said again "are you deaf as well dear older witch" Stephanie turned to him less bothered about his remarks "you know I'm much more better than you at least I work hard and don't depend on father's wealth but you?, you're a waste of bedtime energy, you are a drunk, womanizer who goes to every brothel in the whole eastern bathor and if given the opportunity you would visit the ones in the whole bathor Kingdom aren't you ashamed of yourself, wasting your father's wealth yet you don't work hard father must be grieving inwardly, and yes I'm older than you with few months and still better than you in all aspects why not look up to me mummy's boy" she said and walked away leaving an embarrassed Ethan behind.
She went to the butler who was busy cautioning the maids on what to do " greetings to you miss Stephanie how may I be of help to you this morning" he said his tone passive, Rueben didn't like the miss but neither did he hate her for he sees nor reason to and he was here for his job and not to judge nor feel anyway about anyone. " Rueben I need ten silver coins to buy some fruits for the Duke's mistress" she said and immediately he brought out the coins and handed it over to her "here it is miss, the Duke already informed me about it" he said and she collect the coins and left, she couldn't help but feel like she had forgotten something but can't just remember.